Portion of Lunken Trail Slated for Upgrade This Summer

Construction on a 1.25 mile portion of the Lunken Airport Loop Trail is set to begin Wednesday, May 20, 2015.

Construction crews will replace the existing, deteriorated portion of the loop trail along Wilmer Avenue between Playfield Lane and Airport Road. The project will repave this section with a new 12-foot wide concrete path with 2-foot shoulders on each side, install a new protective curb to separate trail users from motorists, and replace decrepit driveways.

As Lunken Airport trail users know, this portion of the trail is severely damaged. Cracked and jagged pavement makes it difficult for joggers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to enjoy this stretch (see attached pictures).

In order to complete this infrastructure upgrade, the Wilmer Avenue portion of the trail will be closed to users from May 20 through Aug. 21, 2015. Construction will not affect the remaining 4-mile portion of the trail, which will be open and accessible to users.

Once completed, the new trail will offer users a wider, smoother, safer path that is much easier and more enjoyable to use. Path reconstruction also addresses drainage issues along the Wilmer Avenue section that have disrupted trail use in the past.

The timing of the project is driven by federal grant funding, which pays for 80% of the $937,500 project. The project schedule was advanced in order to leverage additional federal dollars resulting in more trail improvements.

The City apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause users. “We are fortunate to have received this grant to repair and improve a popular trail. When the new trail opens we are confident it will be worth the wait,” said Michael Moore, Director of the City’s Transportation Department.

Trail goers will still be able to park at Magrish Nature Preserve, Armleder Park, and both the Farmer’s Market and the Playfield Lane parking lots. Pedestrian access to the Lunken Airport Terminal building will remain open, and construction on driveways along Wilmer Avenue will be replaced in sections to minimize disruption and allow vehicle access to adjacent businesses throughout the entire construction phase.

View a map of the closure.

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